Donna Karan Saluted for Urban Zen Foundation Efforts at Glasswing Gala

Donna Karan was the guest of honor Thursday night at a seated dinner for the Glasswing gala at Cipriani’s lower Broadway outpost.

The designer picked up the nonprofit’s Humanitarian Award for her work through the Urban Zen Foundation, which has helped to humanize health care, empowered artisans in Haiti, and launched yoga, nutrition and education programs for children in underserved communities. 

Standing in the tropically designed room, Karan said although she has traveled extensively, South America was not a place she had traveled to. After connecting with the Venezuelan entrepreneur Carmen Busquets about Glasswing, Karan said she was “blown away because her heart and her soul belongs to these countries by not only dressing but addressing.” The designer said she and Glasswing’s leader Celina de Sola hit it off immediately, due to their shared commitment to health care, education and culture. “I’m so honored that Celina is honoring me. But to be honest, I want to honor her. I think it should be twisted.”

Given the geopolitical tensions internationally, Glasswing’s programs are more important than ever especially in relation to issues that impact children, according to Karan. “It’s up to us to help. We’re in challenging times right now. And it’s not only us — it’s all over the world.”

Although Urban Zen is not currently operating its programs in Haiti, she said that visiting Glasswing-supported initiatives in South America, she was struck by the care that was shown to the children and the artistry of the craftspeople. The designer’s attention to health care was prompted by her late sculptor husband, Stephan Weiss, who told her “to take care of the nurses” near the end of his life.

Karan also recalled floating a remedy for America — a five-person presidency that would be made up of Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey “for communication,” Laurene Powell, a young Republican from Texas, and Andrew Cuomo. “It wasn’t about Democrat or Republican. We’ve got to look at our world,” she said.

Karan received the humanitarian award from her daughter Gabby, whose Donna Karan sheer black dress with a black slip and oversized black jacket exemplified the longevity of Karan’s designs. Karan’s longtime wingwoman, Patti Cohen, ran a close second in black wide-leg pants, a white silk blouse, and dramatic black evening jacket. Earlier this week, Karan’s daughter presented another honor to her mother from the Bay Street Theater.

Gabby Karan is gearing up for her own presentation — the December debut of one of her Tutto II Giorno restaurants. Located near Glazer Hall, the 10,000-square-foot eatery will be the first waterfront one in Palm Beach. She said her mother has been a huge influence, in terms of the artwork and sculpture from Weiss, as well as the spaces being used for charity and community events. “You haven’t designed our uniforms yet,” Gabby Karan said.

Busquets was on hand to support Karan, a longtime supporter of Glasswing, who previously traveled with her to some of the schools overseas, where Glasswing helps children. After being approached to serve on the organization’s board, Busquets said she wanted to see firsthand Glasswing’s efforts at work in Guatemala and other Latin American countries, before she signed on in 2018.

Busquets praised Karan for being involved since the very beginning. During their trips abroad, the pair also made a point to visit artisans, which they both have great admiration for, as well as an interest in preserving. “Donna has been involved since the very beginning. Education and mental health are things that Donna is very passionate about,” Busquets said.

Meanwhile, Busquets has started her own foundation with a focus on education and craftsmanship that includes an initiative to raise awareness about designers in Latin America. Like many in the crowd, she was dressed formally for the occasion wearing a pale pink and black lace gown from Zuhair Murad. Busquets added, “Zuhair used to work with Elie Saab.”

Other fashion aficionados in the well-dressed crowd included the designer Rebecca Moses, Harriette Cole, and stylist Bloody Osiris.